BettaVishVish Posted January 28, 2010 Report Share Posted January 28, 2010 Hi, A friend of mine is nice enough to give me hand to cycle my new 6 gallon tank. He is using fishless cycled method and has been doing this for about 3-4 weeks now. Why does it take so long to cycle the tank? Can I stop the cycle and use it right away for the fish? I am new to this, so any info or advice would be appreciated. thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timbruun Posted January 28, 2010 Report Share Posted January 28, 2010 If you friend has any bio media from any of their tanks that you could get would greatly speed up your cycle process. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
strayner Posted January 28, 2010 Report Share Posted January 28, 2010 Hi, A friend of mine is nice enough to give me hand to cycle my new 6 gallon tank. He is using fishless cycled method and has been doing this for about 3-4 weeks now. Why does it take so long to cycle the tank? Can I stop the cycle and use it right away for the fish? I am new to this, so any info or advice would be appreciated. thanks. It can take a little while to cycle a tank because you need to build up enough beneficial bacteria in your filter to break down ammonia to nitrite and finally to nitrate which is relatively harmless. If you were to interrupt the cycle without your ammonia and nitrite being consumed by the bacteria these two compounds would be in a high concentration and will cause stress/illness/ and commonly death in some fish. You're better off waiting imo. timbruun gives good advice. If you can get a filter sponger or cartridge it helps to shake it off into the cycling tanks filter to 'seed' it with bacteria to kick-start the process. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BettaVishVish Posted January 28, 2010 Author Report Share Posted January 28, 2010 Thank you for the responds @timbruun : as far as I know, my friend is using the bio media from his tank. But I'm not sure what's going & why the tank is still not ready. What I heard from him is the filter may not have enough bacteria..does this make sense? @strayner : thank you for the explaination. Yeah..waiting is really pain. Is there any method to cycle the tank that quick enough but safe for fish? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishclubgirl Posted January 28, 2010 Report Share Posted January 28, 2010 My suggestion is to throw in some feeders and see how it goes. We don't have to deal with chloramines in Calgary(so far!!) so we're lucky that way. When I set up a new tank(which seems to be weekly lately!!!), I don't have time for a fishless cycle(as my fish keep breeding) so I just use an established filter and water from another tank. No losses so far(knock on head!!!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BettaVishVish Posted February 1, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 1, 2010 thank you for your suggestion. I'll have to wait for another week or so..to see if the tank is ready. hopefully it's ready soon...can't wait any longer . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fishclubgirl Posted February 1, 2010 Report Share Posted February 1, 2010 I admire your patience!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pattycr125 Posted February 8, 2010 Report Share Posted February 8, 2010 depending on what type of fish you want you can add them sooner Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BettaVishVish Posted February 9, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 9, 2010 depending on what type of fish you want you can add them sooner Hi pattycr125, The type of fish is Halfmoon betta. Any suggestion to speed up the cycle is welcome. thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
randy Posted February 9, 2010 Report Share Posted February 9, 2010 (edited) what are your current water parameters (ammonia, nitrIte and nitrAte) Edited February 9, 2010 by randy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
corrosionjerry Posted February 10, 2010 Report Share Posted February 10, 2010 You could add a whole wack of stem plants.... and you should be good to go..... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BettaVishVish Posted February 21, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2010 what are your current water parameters (ammonia, nitrIte and nitrAte) Hi, I'm not really sure what the current level since I don't do the cycle myself. A friend of mine is doing the cycle for me..and the last time I heard is the nitrite level has dropped..it's lighter now. I'm hoping it'll be done soon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BettaVishVish Posted February 21, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2010 You could add a whole wack of stem plants.... and you should be good to go..... Thank you for the suggestions. I'll try this, and probably add some moss balls too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ishkabod Posted February 21, 2010 Report Share Posted February 21, 2010 I've tested Seachem's Stability's claim as has another on this site that says it'll cycle a tank in a week and by golly it works so get some and it might just get the tank ready in a very short time. Here is a link for you if you want some really good info especially since you are new. I wish i knew of this site and this forum when i first started so you are ahead of the game allready. Good luck and i hope you enjoy your new betta. L Beginner FAQ's; The Nitrogen Cycle Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BettaVishVish Posted February 23, 2010 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2010 I've tested Seachem's Stability's claim as has another on this site that says it'll cycle a tank in a week and by golly it works so get some and it might just get the tank ready in a very short time. Here is a link for you if you want some really good info especially since you are new. I wish i knew of this site and this forum when i first started so you are ahead of the game allready. Good luck and i hope you enjoy your new betta. L Beginner FAQ's; The Nitrogen Cycle Thank you for the link. I'm sure i'll enjoy my betta..I can't wait now Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.